Outdoor recliner with pillow carrier

ABSTRACT

A reclining chair has a frame capable of folding from an deployed condition to a collapsed condition transportable in a carrier bag. The carrier bag is compressible so that when compressed the carrier bag can be stored in a receptacle of the reclining chair to provide a cushioned headrest to the reclining chair.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The invention relates to folding furniture. Particular embodiments ofthe invention relate to folding chairs.

Discussion of Art

Beach and lawn chairs adapted to be folded for transportation and/orstorage typically have a frame fabricated from elongated structuralmembers, preferably metal. The frames of such chairs have transverselyspaced apart left hand and right hand frame side assemblies that aresubstantially parallel to each other. In a set-up condition, each sideframe assembly has a front leg member extending in a generallyvertically upward direction and a rear leg member pivotally connected atits upper end directly or indirectly to an upper end of the front legmember and which is rearwardly and downwardly inclined from the upperend of the front leg member. Such side frame assemblies also include anupwardly extending chair back support member which is pivotallyconnected at its lower end to the rear leg member intermediate the endsof the rear leg member by an over-the-center linkage that positions theback support member so that it is supported at its lower end on the rearleg member and inclined upwardly and rearwardly therefrom when the chairis unfolded from its closed or flatly folded storage condition to itsopen or set-up condition for use. Such side frame assemblies alsoinclude a seat support member generally supported by the front and rearleg members in a generally horizontal condition when the chair is in itsset-up condition.

Conventional beach and lawn chairs of the prior art having the left handand right hand frame side assemblies such as hereinbefore generallydescribed also commonly have transversely extending rigid connectingmembers providing fixed connection between the front leg members, therear leg members, and often the back support members as well. Additionalrigidly fixed transverse connecting members may also extend between thestructural members that support the seat of such a chair. The aforesaidrigid or non-collapsible transversely extending connecting members aregenerally horizontally disposed when such a conventional prior art chairis in its set-up condition. Thus, it should be immediately apparent thatconventional folding chairs of a prior art type as hereinbeforedescribed are foldable to only one storage and/or transport condition,namely a flatly folded condition.

Such prior art chairs provide the convenience of easy fold-up, and arelightweight so as to permit easy transportability. Common uses for suchchairs are at the beach or at a picnic where easy set-up and break-down,as well as the ability to carry the chair along with other things, isdesirable. However, even though such chairs are foldable for easytransport, they typically still cover a wide area and thus take up a lotof space when folded, which makes packing or storing the chairsdifficult, especially when they must be crammed into a space such as thetrunk of a car with a number of other objects such as a cooler, blanketsand bags. That is, most prior art beach and lawn chairs are foldableonly in one direction—typically front to back. For example, the backsupport and the seat support of the chair are folded towards each otherso the frame, when folded, lies flat in an essentially rectangularshape. When packing the folded chair into a car, the folded chair mustbe laid flat, thereby occupying a wide footprint in the car.

Other chair designs have been developed that can be folded to acollapsed or bundled state occupying less storage space. For example,some chair designs can be folded in multiple directions, reducing atleast the front/back and left/right dimensions between an unfoldedset-up condition and a folded, storage condition. However, these chairdesigns are typically not suitable for certain outdoor uses, such as atthe beach or at a picnic, where a reclinable backrest is desired.Heretofore, multi-directional foldable chairs have not been capable ofreclining due to the complexity of the means of connecting the variousframe members constituting the chair frame.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a chair with a recliningback support when in a set-up condition that can be collapsed inmultiple directions in order to reduce the space occupied by the chairin a folded and completely collapsed condition. Further, there is a needfor such a chair that can be folded to a completely collapsed, bundledcondition with minimal effort, without limiting or compromising thestructural features permitting reclining of the chair's backrestsupport. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention toprovide a unifoldable reclining chair with a headrest design thatovercomes the problems and drawbacks associated with reclinable foldingchairs, and therefore significantly improves the utility of such a chairin the set-up condition while permitting easy transportation and/orstorage in a completely collapsed condition.

In general, there is a need for a reclinable and collapsible chair witha headrest that can be easily folded by a user with minimal effort. Inthis regard, a desirable folding chair design reduces the number offolding steps. It is a general object of the present invention,therefore, to provide a chair that can be easily folded and collapsed inmultiple directions, essentially front to back and left to right, with asingle folding action—e.g., inward force on the armrests of the chair.In this regard, such a chair design that can be folded from its set-upcondition to a completely collapsed and bundled condition with a singlefolding action is herein referred to as a unifoldable chair.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a uniquefoldable reclining chair frame structure that is lightweight, easilytransportable, easily storable, and easy to operate between its set-upcondition and its collapsed condition.

Applicant previously has disclosed (in U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/840,915) a unifoldable chair that collapses into a bundle suitablefor stowage in a carrier bag. Such chairs are widely popular. However,while such a chair is in its deployed condition for use, there is aproblem what to do with the carrier bag. Solutions vary. For example,sometimes the bag is draped over the arm of the chair. Sometimes it isleft on the ground under the chair. Occasionally the carrier bag is lostduring use of the chair, for example due to wind, uncontrolled pets, orother causes.

Also there is a problem with comfort in unifoldable chairs, which forease of quick folding to a bundle have conventionally lacked headrests.Although a headrest would be convenient during use of a chair, aheadrest is not convenient while a chair is folded for storage in acarrier bag; instead, a headrest thwarts efforts to collapse a chairinto a minimal bundle.

The present invention addresses these issues, and provides a means tocircumvent the associated drawbacks of prior art foldable chair designs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Thus, it is desirable to provide a folding chair (preferably aunifoldable chair) that has a headrest while in use. Also it isdesirable to provide a folding chair (preferably a unifoldable chair)that has a carrier bag, which does not get lost during use of the chair.

Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a folding chair thatis storable in a carrier bag, which can be converted into a headrestduring use of the chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable reclining chair with thechair in a set-up condition and the back support of the chair at itsmost forward and deployed condition.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reclining chair of FIG. 1 with theback support of the chair in a reclined position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reclining chair design of FIG. 1with the flexible seat support panel and the flexible backrest supportpanel removed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chair design of FIG. 3 with the backsupport of the chair in a reclined position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3, with the backsupport of the chair at its most forward and deployed condition.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3, with the backsupport of the chair in a reclined position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the chair design of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of a guide rail assembly used inthe chair design of FIG. 1 for enabling and accommodating recliningadjustment of the back support.

FIG. 8B is an exploded view of the guide rail assembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 3 in a completelycollapsed condition.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the completely collapsed chair shown in FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second unifoldable reclining chairdesign with the seat support panel and the backrest support panelremoved and with the back support of the chair at its most forward anddeployed condition.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair designof FIG. 11 with the back support in a reclined position.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is perspective view of a third unifoldable reclining chairdesign with the seat support panel and the backrest support panelremoved and with the back support of the chair at its most forward anddeployed condition.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the unifoldable reclining chair designof FIG. 15 with the back support in a reclined position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the chair design of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an armrest design for use with areclining chair design.

FIG. 19B is an exploded perspective view of the armrest design of FIG.19.

FIG. 20 shows the folding chair of FIG. 1, with its pillow pocket foldedover to form a headrest, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and aredescribed as relating to folding chairs, aspects of the invention moregenerally may be applicable to other folding furniture having carrierbags, e.g., collapsible cots.

In the drawings and in the description that follows the presentinvention is illustrated and described with reference to a foldablereclining chair that has a headrest while in use. A chair, generallydesignated as reference numeral 10, is shown, for example, in FIG. 1 ina set-up condition ready for use. The chair 10 includes a frame 12 thatcarries a flexible generally rectangular seat support panel 14 and aflexible generally rectangular backrest support panel 16. The frame 12is shown more particularly in FIG. 3 with the seat panel 14 and thebackrest panel 16 removed. The frame 12 is comprised of several framemembers pivotally, slidably and/or telescopically connected together todefine the chair frame 12 and permit folding and collapsing of the frame12 to a bundle suitable for easy transportation and storage. Preferably,the frame members are fabricated from a durable lightweight materialsuch as a tubular metal or high-strength plastic. Various elongatedstructural parts or members that comprise the chair frame 12 arepreferably constructed from cylindrical tubular material. Alternatively,tubing of noncircular cross-section, such as, for example, aluminumtubing having oval or elliptical cross-section, is employed for makingthe major elongated structural components of the chair frame 12, whichin certain embodiments of the present invention restricts binding of theframe 12 when a person is sitting in the chair 10.

The seat panel 14 preferably provides a 17-inch seat height for thechair 10 when in a set-up condition for use. The backrest panel 16preferably provides a high profile capable of supporting the user'supper back, neck and head, though various dimensions for the backrestpanel 16 may be used without affecting operation of the chair 10 inaccordance with the present invention. Further, the seat panel 14 andbackrest panel 16 can be formed from a single piece of material with atransition section at the rear of the seat and the bottom of thebackrest. The seat and backrest panels 14 and 16 may be made from fabricor other suitable flexible, durable and weather resistant sheetmaterial.

The frame 12 has a pair of side assemblies comprised of frame membersand having substantially identical construction, but of opposite hand,indicated generally at 18L and 18R. The left and right frame sideassemblies 18L and 18R are disposed in laterally or transversely spacedapart and generally parallel relation to each other when the chair 10 isin its set-up condition. Considering now a typical frame side memberassembly 18, as shown in FIG. 5, an axially elongated tubular front legmember 20, a rigid rear leg member 22, a back support member 24, a seatsupport member 26, and an armrest 28 are provided. Such frame membersfor the side frame assembly 18 are preferably disposed within generallyparallelly extending vertical planes and connected each to another forpivotal movement relative to each other about generally transverselyextending pivot axes. In general, respective pivot axes on the left andright side frame assemblies 18L and 18R are aligned for proper use andoperation of the chair 10.

The chair frame 12 is generally adapted to rest on a generallyhorizontally oriented supporting surface, such as a floor or the ground,in a set-up condition. The front leg members 20 and rear leg members 24are provided with front feet 30 and rear feet 32, respectively, forstabilizing the chair 10 on the supporting surface. In the set-upcondition, the flexible seat panel 14 defines a generally taut chairseat support and the flexible backrest panel 16 defines a generally tautchair back support, for collectively accommodating an deployed seated orreclined chair occupant. The seat panel 14 and the backrest panel 16 aresecured to portions of the chair frame 12 that help define and providethe seat support and the back support for the occupant. In a preferreddesign, the rear leg member 24 also acts as a frame member forsupporting the seat panel 14 of the chair 10, and thus comprises a rearportion acting as the rear leg and a forward portion acting as the seatsupport member 26. As shown, each rear leg member 22 includes atransition area, such as bend 34, at a location intermediate the frontand back portions of the leg member 22. The transition area generallycorresponds with the rear of the seat panel 14 and thus essentiallydefines the back of the seating area. As shown, the back support members24 are preferably pivotally mounted to the rear leg members 22 proximatethe region of the intermediate bend 34. The front leg members 20 and therear leg members 22 are directly connected to each other for pivotalmovement relative to each other about a transverse pivot axis. Moreparticularly, the point of connection between the leg members 20 and 22is in the upper portion of the former and in the forward portion of thelatter, as shown more clearly in FIG. 5.

In alternate designs of the frame side member assembly 18, the rearportion and the forward portion of the rear leg member 22 can beindependent members connected together by a fixed or flexible joint. Insuch a design, therefore, there would be a separate rear leg member 22and seat support member 26. The back support member 24 can be pivotallyconnected to the joint, the rear portion of the seat support member 26,or the top portion of the rear leg member 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4 and 7, the chair frame 12 includes the pair offrame side member assemblies 18L and 18R of opposite hand. The frameside member assemblies 18L and 18R are joined each to the other, toenable, in part, transverse, or left-right, folding of the frame, by apair of movable X-frame connector assemblies, namely a foldable frontconnector assembly 36 and a foldable rear connector assembly 38. Asnoted, the connector assemblies 36 and 38 enable and facilitatetransverse folding of the chair frame 12 between an open, or set-up,condition, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, and a collapsed, storage condition, asshown in FIGS. 9-10. The connector assemblies 36 and 38 also providesupport for the chair frame 12 in the open, set-up condition bybalancing and redistributing the forces exerted on the chair frame 12 bya person seated on the seat panel 14 and leaning back on the backrestpanel 16. It should be noted that in accordance with a “unifoldable”folding operation whereby the chair 10 of the present invention iscollapsed in multiple directions to a completely collapsed conditionwith a single folding action, the chair 10 cannot be folded only andexclusively in the transverse direction, but that transverse folding isconducted in combination with folding of the chair 10 in otherdirections, such as front-back.

As noted above, the chair 10 of the present invention is designed sothat the back support is reclinable. In FIGS. 3-6, the back support isgenerally designated as reference numeral 40 and a seat support isgenerally designated as reference numeral 42. In particular, the angleof the back support 40 relative to the seat support 42 can be adjustedto a number of reclined positions. In FIGS. 3 and 5, the chair 10 isillustrated with the back support 40 at its most forward and deployedcondition. FIGS. 4 and 6 illustrate the chair 10 with the back support40 reclined to its most reclined position. In accordance with thepresent invention, the back support 40 can be reclined to and held atany of a number of reclined positions between the most deployedcondition (FIGS. 3 and 5) and the most reclined position (FIGS. 4 and6). As can be seen, the rear connector assembly 38 is connected betweenthe rear leg members 22 of the chair 10 and the back support members 24to provide support for the back support 40 in its reclined positions.The rear connector assembly 38 comprises two transversely disposed frameconnectors 44 that preferably form a pivotable X-frame, discussed inmore detail below, which opens into the shape of an “X” when the chair10 is opened to the set-up condition, and which collapses when the chair10 is folded up. The rear X-frame connectors 44 preferably adjustposition along with movement of the back support 40 so as to provideadequate support to a person sitting in the chair 10 and leaning back onthe backrest panel 16.

The structure of the chair 10 enables the chair frame 12 to be adjustedbetween an deployed seated condition and any of a number of reclinedseated conditions while the chair 10 remains in its set-up condition.More particularly, the back support 40 is adapted to be reclinedrelative to the seat support 42 without affecting the arrangement of thefront leg members 20 or the rear leg members 22. In accordance with thepresent invention, the rear connector assembly 38 is movably attachedbetween the rear leg members 22 and the back support members 24 toenable and accommodate angular adjustment of the back support 40. Morespecifically, the rear connector assembly 38 can be pivotally,slidingly, and/or telescopically attached to the rear leg members 22and/or the back support members 24 for movement between at least firstand second positions, where such positions correspond to respectivefirst and second reclined positions of the back support 40. Even morespecifically, the back support 40 may be adjusted to one of manypredefined angularly reclined positions between a forward-most deployedcondition and a fully reclined position, whereby the positioning of therear connector assembly 38 moves to a different position to accommodateeach back support position. Various embodiments of the mechanisms forattaching the rear connector assembly 38 to the back leg members 22 andthe back support members 24, and for adjusting the positioning of therear connector assembly 38 are discussed hereinafter.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a preferred means for enabling adjustment ofthe back support 40 without affecting the set-up condition of the chair10. A guide rail assembly, general designated as reference numeral 46,comprises a guide rail 48 preferably mounted on the inwardly facing sideof the rear leg member 22 and defining a slot 50, and a slide 52disposed within the slot 50 of the guide rail 48 for movement along thelength of the guide rail 48. Preferably, the slide 52 has acomplementary shape to the slot 50 to facilitate the movement of theslide 52 within the guide rail 48 during reclining of the back support40 as well as during set-up and collapsing of the chair 10. A generallyU-shaped “universal” mounting bracket 54 is pivotally attached to theslide 52 and is adapted to receive the lower terminal end of a rearconnector 44 for pivoting relative to the slide 52. As shown in FIG. 8A,the mounting bracket 54 is pivotally mounted on the inwardly facing sideof the slide 52 by a pin fastener 56 that forms part of the slide 52once assembled. The pin fastener 56 passes through an opening 58 in thethroat 60 of the bracket 54, as shown more clearly in FIG. 8B. Outwardlyextending ears 62 on the mounting bracket 54 have apertures 64 forreceiving a pivot pin 66 for securing the terminal lower end of theconnector 44 to the mounting bracket 54. Accordingly, when the backsupport 40 is reclined by the user in a manner to be described below,the slide 52 moves along the guide rail 48 and the connector 44 pivotsrelative to the slide 52 to enable and accommodate the adjustment of theback support 40 without affecting the positioning of the rear leg member22 or any other stationary portion of the chair frame 12.

The movement of the slide 52 relative to the guide rail 48 is generallyillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. For example, in FIG. 3, which correspondsto a set-up condition of the chair 10 with the back support 40 at itsmost forward and deployed condition, the slide 52 is shown at a firstposition, generally at the top of the guide rail 48. As the back support40 is reclined, the slide 52 begins to slide downwardly within the slot50 along the length of the guide rail 48. In FIG. 4, which correspondsto a set-up condition of the chair 10 with the back support 40 at itsmost reclined position, the slide 52 is shown at a second position.Thus, the slide 52 moves between its first position and its secondposition along the guide rail 48 as the back support 40 is moved torelative reclined positions. Inasmuch as the back support 40 can bereclined to and held at any of a number of reclined positions, the slide52 will move to a corresponding location to accommodate and support thereclined position of the back support 40. The slide 52 also moves withrespect to the guide rail 48 when the chair frame 12 is being set-up andcollapsed.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 11-14, thesupport frame connectors 44 between the rear leg members 22 and the backsupport 40 are pivotally connected at one end to the back supportmembers 24 and at the other end to linkages 68 pivotally connected tothe rear leg members 22. More particularly, as the back support 40 isreclined backwards, each linkage 40 pivots downward. The upper terminalends of the frame connectors 44 are pivotally attached to the backsupport members 24 via generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets70. Though permitting pivoting movement of the connectors 44 relative tothe back support members 26, the mounting brackets 70 are fixed inlocation on the back support members 26. The lower terminal ends of theframe connectors 44 are pivotally attached to the linkage 68 viagenerally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets 72. The mountingbrackets 70 and 72 have the same general design as mounting bracket 54described above and shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. As the back support 40 isreclined, the frame connectors 44 pivot relative to the linkage 68—whichis pivoting downward—to maintain requisite structural integrity for theback support 40 and to brace the chair frame 12 in the reclinedposition. The linkages 68 also pivot with respect to the rear leg member22 when the chair frame 12 is being set-up and collapsed.

The movement of the linkage 68 is generally illustrated in FIGS. 13 and14. For example, in FIG. 13, which corresponds to a set-up condition ofthe chair 10 with the back support 40 at its most forward and deployedcondition, the linkage 68 is shown at a first position. As the backsupport 40 is reclined, the linkage 68 on each side of the frame 12begins to pivot downwardly along the path illustrated by arrow A. InFIG. 14, which corresponds to a set-up condition of the chair 10 withthe back support 40 at its most reclined position, the linkage 68 isshown at a second position. Thus, the linkage 68 moves between its firstposition and its second position along the path of arrow A as the backsupport 40 is moved to relative reclined positions. Inasmuch as the backsupport 40 can be reclined to and held at any of a number of reclinedpositions, the linkage 68 will pivot to a corresponding location toaccommodate and support the reclined position of the back support 40.Though shown as pivoting under the rear leg member 22, the linkage 68can be mounted for pivoting above the rear leg member 22 withoutdeparting from the spirit and principles of the present invention. Insuch an alternate design of the linkage set-up, the linkage 68 willpivot with reclining movement of the back support 40 along a pathgenerally mirroring that illustrated by arrow A.

In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIGS. 15-18, the rear frame connectors 44 between the rear legmembers 22 and the back support 40 may alternatively be pivotallyconnected to the back support 40 at one terminal end and slidablymounted to the rear leg members 22 at the other terminal end. Moreparticularly, the frame connectors 44 may be pivotally attached tosleeves or collars 74 slidingly mounted on the rear leg members 22. Asthe back support 40 is reclined backwards, the sleeves 74 slide downwardalong the rear leg members 22 towards the rear feet 32 and the frameconnectors 44 pivot on both the sleeves 74 and on the back supportmembers 24 via generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets 76 and78 to brace the chair frame 12 in the reclined position. The sleeves 74also slide along the rear leg member 22 when the chair frame 12 is beingset-up and collapsed to accommodate pivoting movement of the rear legmembers 22 relative to the other frame members and frame connectors ofthe chair frame 12.

Further alternate designs may be used to support the back support 40 ina reclined position. For example, the rear frame connectors 44 can bepivotally connected, but fixed in location, to the rear leg members 22and slidingly connected to the back support members 24. Alternatively,the frame connectors 44 can have telescoping sections and be pivotallymounted at both ends to fixed locations on the rear leg members 22 andthe back support members 24, respectively, whereby reclining of the backsupport 40 would cause the frame connectors 44 to pivot at each end andtelescope to accommodate and support the selected angular position ofthe back support 40.

The front leg members 20 of the chair frame 12 are preferably formed bya pair of axially elongated telescopically connected front leg sections20 a and 20 b. When the chair 10 is in its set-up condition eachtelescopic front leg member 20 extends in a generally upward direction.The forward portion of the rear leg member 22, acting as the seatsupport member 26, extends essentially horizontally back from theconnection point with a respective front leg member 20 to theintermediate bend 34. The rear portion of the rear leg member 22 isdownwardly and rearwardly inclined from the intermediate bend 34.Pivoting of the front leg members 20 relative to the rear leg members 22enables folding of the chair frame 12 in a front-back direction, asshown in FIG. 9. When the chair 10 is so collapsed, each front legmember 20 telescopes outwardly, as generally shown in FIGS. 9-10, sothat the chair frame 12 can be collapsed tightly without the length ofthe front leg 20 inhibiting inward folding motion as is the case with afront leg having fixed dimension. It should be noted that in accordancewith a unifolding operation in accordance with the present invention,whereby the chair 10 can be folded in multiple directions to acompletely collapsed condition with a single folding action, the chair10 cannot be folded only and exclusively in the front-back direction,but that front-back folding in conducted in combination with folding ofthe chair 10 in other directions, such as transversely, or side-to-side.

Referring further to FIGS. 3-4 and 7, the front connector assembly 36comprises axially elongated front connectors 80 that are each attachedto both the right and left front legs 20, which comprise part of theframe side assemblies 18L and 18R. The upper terminal end of each of thefront frame connectors 80 is pivotally connected to an associated frontleg member 20 by a pivot mount fitting 82 mounted in fixed position onthe front leg member 20. Each mount fitting 82 extends inwardlyimmediately below the front-end portion of an associated seat portion ofthe rear leg member 22. The upper terminal end of each of the frontconnectors 80 is secured by an associated pivot pin to pivot on anassociated mount fitting 82. The lower terminal end of each of the frontconnectors 80 is secured in a recess 84 defined by the front foot 30mounted in a fixed position on the lower end of the lower telescopingleg member 20 b. Each sliding leg member 20 b is telescopicallycoaxially received in the lower end of the associated upper front legmember 20 a to slide within and relative to that leg member 20 a based,in part, on forces exerted by the front frame support connectors 80during collapsing of the chair 10, as best shown in FIGS. 9-10 and for apurpose to be hereinafter evident.

Alternate designs for the leg members 20 and 22 can be used withoutdeparting from the focus of the present invention. For example, in thepreferred embodiment shown, the rear leg members 22 extend to form theseat support member 26 of the frame 12 for the seating portion of thechair 10. Indeed, the seat panel 14 is attached to the rear leg members22 to support a person using the chair 10. In alternate designs, theseat support member 26 can be a separate piece from the rear leg member22. The two members 22 and 26 can be rigidly attached to each other, orflexibly attached to each other to provide some give to accommodate theperson's weight when seated on the seat panel 14.

Referring back to FIGS. 5-6, each of the frame side member assemblies18L and 18R also includes the axially elongated back support member 24for supporting the backrest panel 16. Each back support member 24 ispivotally mounted on an associated rear leg member 22 proximate theintermediate bend 34 thereon. The back support members 24 are capable ofadjustment when the chair 10 is in a set-up condition—i.e., with theseat support 42 generally horizontally disposed—so that the back support40 and the backrest panel 16 can be reclined to a desired position. Whenthe back support 40 is reclined, the seat support 42 and the seat panel14 remain in position—i.e., essentially horizontal. Accordingly, whenthe back support 40 is reclined, the angular relationship between theseat support 42 and the back support 40 changes without affecting theset-up condition of the chair 10. The various frame members andconnector members discussed above, their arrangement relative to oneanother, and their means of interconnection, be it fixed, pivoting,sliding or telescoping, permit the chair 10 to be stable in its set-upcondition while permitting easy adjustment of the back support 40 tovarious reclined positions.

Adjustment of the back support members 24 is enabled by the armrests 28,the rear ends of which are pivotally mounted to an associated backsupport member 24 and the forward ends of which interact with the top ofan associated front leg member 20 in a preferred design. An exemplaryarmrest 28 for use with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 19A and19B. In a preferred embodiment of the armrest 28, the forward portion ofeach armrest 28 is provided with notches 86—e.g., a plate 88 carried bythe armrest 28 defines a downwardly open series of sawtooth notches86—associated with desirable angularly reclined positions of the backsupport 40. The top of the front leg member 20 preferably has aprojection (not shown) adapted to engage the notches 86 in the armrest28. When so engaged, the positions of the back support 40 and backrestpanel 16 are secured so that they cannot slip under the weight of a usersitting in the chair 10. To adjust the positions of the back support 40and the backrest panel 16, the armrest 28 is lifted to disengage theprojection of the front leg member 20 from the notch 86 in which it hadbeen residing. The armrest 28 may be moved forward or backwards whilethe user is seated in the chair 10 to adjust the reclined positions ofthe back support 40 and the backrest panel 16 accordingly. When adesired position for the back support 40 is selected, the armrest 28 ismoved downward so that the projection of the front leg member 20 engagesthe closest notch 86 in the armrest plate 88 to secure the back support40 at the selected reclined position. Continued downward force on thearmrest 28, be it by the user resting her arms on the armrest 28 ormerely by the action of gravity when the chair 10 is in its set-upcondition, maintains the engagement between the projection and the notch86 in which it is residing and prevents incidental forward and backwardmovement or slipping of the armrest 28 that would affect the reclinedposition of the back support 40.

As shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the armrest 28 may be generally planar,and can also include a handgrip 90 and a stem glass holder feature 92. Aforward portion of the armrest 28 can also be inwardly projecting toprovide added support for a seated user's arms. The armrest 28 shown inFIGS. 19A and 19B can be constructed from wood, plastic or a lightweightmetal. Alternate designs of the armrest may be used without departingfrom spirit and principles of the present invention. For example, analternate armrest design is shown in FIGS. 1-2, where the armrest 28 ispreferably constructed from a plastic or lightweight metal, such asaluminum. This design includes a stem glass holder feature 92 as well.Another alternate design of the armrest 28 may provide multi-planarsupport surface, which may allow for use of a longer armrest withoutaffecting the size of the collapsed chair 10. The armrest 28 may also beconstructed from a molded plastic to facilitate various contoured ormulti-planar designs as desired.

Further considering the front and back X-frame connector assemblies 36and 38 and the manner in which these assemblies are connected to theframe side member assemblies 18L and 18R, the front X-frame connectorassembly 36 includes a pair of axially elongated tubular connectors 80generally centrally joined each to the other for limited pivotalmovement about a pivot axis. As shown for example in FIG. 15, each ofthe tubular connectors 80 may have offset central portions 80 a—oneforwardly offset, the other rearwardly offset—so that all the terminalend portions in the connector assembly 36 may be generally planar.Alternatively, one of the tubular connectors 80 may comprise asubstantially axially straight member whereas the terminal end portionsof the other connector member 80 are offset so that the axes of the fourend portions of the front X-frame connector assembly 36 lie within acommon plane for attachment to the chair frame 12, as generally shown inFIGS. 3-4.

As noted above, each leg 20 and 22 has a foot 30 or 32 mounted in fixedposition thereon. As shown in FIG. 7, each front foot 30 extends forsome distance inwardly toward the corresponding foot on the transverselyopposite leg. The lower terminal end of each of the front X-frameconnectors 80 is pivotally connected to an inwardly projecting portion94 of an associated one of the feet 30. As shown in FIG. 3, an extrasupport member 96 can be provided on each side of the chair frame 12connecting each forward leg member 20 to the seat support portion 26 ofthe rear leg member 22. More particularly, one end of the support member96 is pivotally connected to the backside of the inwardly projectingportion 94 of an associated one of the front feet 30. The other terminalend is pivotally connected to an associated rear leg member 22 at aposition along the seat support portion 26 thereof between the forwardend and the intermediate bend 34 of the rear leg member 22.

Most of the pivotal connections to the chair frame 12 are to brackets orfittings rigidly secured to the chair frame 12. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-10, the terminal ends of the rear X-frameconnectors 44 are pivotally connected at each end to frame members byway of mounting brackets 54 and 98. The ends of the front X-frameconnectors 80 are likewise pivotally connected to the chair frame 12 byway of mount fitting 82 on the upper end and foot recess 84 on the lowerend. Similarly designed brackets and fittings are utilized in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 11-14 (using linkage 60) and 15-18 (usingsleeve 74). The various movable connections for the chair frame 12herein discussed are provided by the mounting brackets and fittings,which may be molded from a suitable durable plastic material or castfrom metal and which allow necessary folding and unfolding movement ofthe various movable parts of the chair 10 as discussed.

The mount fittings 82 for the upper end of each of the front X-frameconnectors 80 are mounted in fixed position at the pivotal connectionspot between the front leg members 20 and the rear leg members 22, asshown for example in FIG. 3. Each mount fitting 82 extends inwardly forsome distance in the direction of the corresponding mount fitting 82fixedly attached to the opposite side of the frame 12. As with themounting brackets 54 used for pivotally connecting the rear X-frameconnectors 44 to the guide rail assembly 46, the mount fittings 82 mayinclude generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets adapted toreceive the upper terminal ends of the front X-frame connectors 80 forpivoting. The mounting bracket is pivotally mounted on an inwardlyfacing surface of a saddle 100 at the pivotal connection spot by anassociated pivot fastener that passes through an opening in the throatof the bracket, as well as the saddle 100, the front leg member 20 andthe rear leg member 22, to support the bracket to pivot about a inwardlyextending pivot axis relative to the saddle 100 that carries it. Thepivot axis for the mounting bracket is also the pivot axis for the frontleg member 20 relative to the rear leg member 22. As with the design ofthe mounting bracket 54 discussed above, outwardly extending ears on themounting bracket have apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing aterminal upper end of an associated one of the connectors 80 thatcomprise the front X-frame connector assembly 36.

Further, and as previously noted, in a preferred embodiment, each frontleg 20 comprises a telescopic assembly that includes an upper section 20a and a lower section 20 b, as best shown in FIGS. 9-10. Each lowertelescoping section 20 b is received at the lower end within anassociated front foot 30 and is movable between an extended positionwherein it projects for some distance from the upper front leg section20 a and a retracted position wherein it is substantially disposedwithin the associated upper front leg section 20 a. In an alternatedesign, the telescoping front leg design can be replaced by a two-piecefront leg assembly, where a first frame support member extends from thefront foot 30 to the back part of the seat support 42 and a second framemember extends from the 20 forward portion of the armrest 28 to a sleeveor collar slidingly mounted on the first frame member. In eachembodiment of the chair design, the lower end of each of the frontX-frame connectors 80 are pivotally mounted to a front foot 30 or thefront leg member 20 proximate to the front foot 30. In a preferreddesign illustrated in FIG. 3, the inward projecting portion 94 of thefront foot 30 includes a recess 84 defining a mount fitting forreceiving the lower terminal end of a corresponding front connector 80.The front connector 80 is held in place for pivoting movement by a pivotpin extending through the foot 30, as shown in FIG. 7.

As previously discussed, the rear X-frame connector assembly 38 includesa pair of axially elongated tubular connectors 44 generally centrallyjoined each to the other for limited pivotal movement about a pivotaxis. Like the front X-frame connector assembly 36, the connectors 44 ofthe rear X-frame connector assembly 38 are centrally pivotally connectedfor pivotal movement between an open position wherein the connectors 44cross each other and present an X-shaped configuration and a closedposition wherein the connectors 44 are in near side-by-side relation toeach other. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper terminal ends of the rearframe connectors 44 can be pivotally attached via a pivot fastener to agenerally L-shaped mounting bracket 98 secured to the backrest supportmember 24.

Alternatively, the mounting bracket 98 may take the form of a generallyU-shaped “universal” mounting bracket as described above, which ispivotally mounted to a mounting boss fixed to the rear surface of eachbackrest support member 24, wherein the boss includes an integral saddlethat extends through an opening in the backrest panel 16, and rests onthe surface of an associated support member where it is secured in fixedposition by blind rivets, generally illustrated in FIGS. 15-18. In suchan alternate design, the saddle projects rearwardly from the backrestsupport member 24 and the U-shaped mounting bracket is pivotally mountedon a inwardly facing surface of the saddle by an associated pivotfastener which passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket tosupport the bracket to pivot about an inwardly extending axis relativeto the saddle that carries it. Outwardly extending ears on the mountingbracket include apertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing aterminal upper end of an associated one of the connectors 44 thatcomprise the rear X-frame connector assembly 38.

In an alternate embodiment of the chair 10 as illustrated in FIGS.11-14, the lower terminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors 44 areattached to the linkages 60 arranged to pivot relative to the rear legmembers 22 when the back support 40 is reclined or when the chair 10 isset-up or collapsed. More particularly, the rear X-frame connectors 44are attached to the linkages 60 via the generally U-shaped “universal”mounting brackets 54 pivotally mounted on the inner side of each linkage60 by an associated pivot fastener that passes through an opening in thethroat of the bracket 54 to support it for pivoting relative to thelinkage 60. Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket 54 haveapertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower end ofan associated one of the rear X-frame connectors 44.

In another alternate embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 15-18, the lowerterminal ends of the rear X-frame connectors 44 are attached to slidingsleeves or collars 74 that are constructed and arranged to slide axiallyalong the rear leg members 22 at opposite sides of the chair frame 12.As previously noted, the rear leg members 22 may be formed with circularor non-circular cross-section, for example, elliptical or ovalcross-section. The sleeves 74 are adapted to slidably travel on the legmembers 22, and thus preferably have interior slide bores thatcomplement the cross-sectional configuration of the leg members on whichthey are mounted. The generally U-shaped “universal” mounting brackets54 are pivotally mounted to the sleeves 74 by an associated pivotfastener that passes through an opening in the throat of the bracket 54to support it for pivoting relative to the sleeve 74 on which it ismounted. Outwardly extending ears on the mounting bracket 54 haveapertures for receiving a pivot pin for securing a terminal lower end ofan associated one of the rear X-frame connectors 44.

In accordance with the present invention, the back support 40 isintended to be reclinable. It should be apparent that the weight of aperson seated in the chair 10 and resting against the backrest panel 16will tend to cause the chair back to hinge in a rearward direction aboutits horizontal pivotal support axis if rearwardly directed force isacting upon the back support 40. The force exerted on the chair frame 12will also be translated into downwardly directed forces applied to therear mounting brackets 54 and 98 with resulting torque applied to therear leg members 22 by the forces outwardly acting on the brackets 54and 98. Various means can be used to prevent such collapsing, buckling,or bowing actions. For example, such actions can be prevented by using arear X-lock assembly 102, which generally comprises a lock bar 104extending between upper ends of the rear X-frame connector assembly 38,as described in more detail below. Alternatively, a combination of therear X-lock assembly 102 and non-circular legs interacting withcomplementary shaped sliding sleeves or collars 74 may restrict bucklingof the frame 12. In other embodiments, circular legs withcorrespondingly shaped sliding sleeves 74 can be used, with an X-lockassembly 102 provided to compensate for the user's weight and preventinward buckling. Still alternately, the X-lock assembly 102 need not beused, but where buckling is accommodated for with the structure of guiderail assemblies 46 or the pivoting linkages 60 on the rear leg members22 that permit the rear X-frame connectors 44 to maintain adequatestructural integrity to support a seated person. Still alternately,other shapes for the frame members can be used, including circulartubing with a guide rail mounted thereon and a complementary shapedslide collar comprising a circular opening with a key-way to accommodatethe guide rail and prevent twisting of the slide collar.

As noted, the afore-described back support collapse problem can also beovercome by the provision of a collapsible X-lock assembly 102 that ispivotally connected at its opposite ends to the rear X-frame connectorassembly 38. The collapsible lock bar 104 is comprised of two distinctlock bar sections 104 a and 104 b. Each section 104 a and 104 b extendsinwardly from an associated rear X-frame connector 44 and toward theother bar section. One of the bar sections can further extend outwardpast its associated X-frame connector to form a handle extension forfacilitating locking and unlocking of the lock assembly 102. The innerends of the two bar sections 104 a and 104 b are pivotally connected toeach other in spaced apart relation and arranged for click or snapengagement to releaseably retain the sections 104 a and 104 b in alocked position wherein the lock bar 104 is substantially straight andextends between the rear X-frame connectors 44. One or both connectors44 which provide pivotal connection between the outer ends of the lockbar sections 104 a and 104 b may also be designed to permit click orsnap engagement with the lock bar 104 to assure that the X-lock assembly102 maintains the two X-frame connectors 44 in pivoted spaced-apartrelation when the chair 10 is in its set-up condition. Light pressure onthe handle extension, if provided, or, alternatively, light pressureapplied to the central connection point of the lock bar sections 104 aand 104 b is sufficient to collapse the lock bar 104 so that it may befolded to a fully collapsed condition wherein the two sections 104 a and104 b of the lock bar 104 are disposed in generally side-by-siderelation when the chair frame 12 is moved to its collapsed condition asshown in FIGS. 9-10. Thus, the X-lock assembly 102 provides an effectivemeans for stabilizing the back support 40 and preventing the backsupport members 24 on a chair 10 with a reclinable back from movingtoward each other when a reclining user is seated in the chair 10.

The X-lock assembly 102 can be positioned at different heights relativeto the back support 40 or the rear legs 22, depending on the maximumweight the chair 10 is expected to handle. For example, the embodimentof the X-lock assembly 102 illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 is mounted on thelower portions of the rear frame connectors 44 beneath the centrallylocated pivot point of the rear connector assembly 38. FIG. 7illustrates this version of the X-lock assembly 102 in a disengagedcondition. In an alternate embodiment of the X-lock assembly 102illustrated in FIGS. 15-16, the lock bar 104 is mounted as the upperportions of the rear frame connectors 44 above the centrally locatedpivot point of the rear connector assembly 38.

The X-frame connector assemblies 36 and 38 need not be in the form of anX. Alternate designs providing substantial support include verticalparallel support braces, H-shaped assemblies, and variations of X- andH-shaped assemblies.

When the chair 10 is not in use, it may be prepared for storage ortransportation by folding it into its collapsed condition. The chair 10can be folded from the set-up condition to the completely collapsedcondition with a single folding action—preferably by grabbing a portionof the chair frame 12 on each side of the seat panel 14 (e.g., grabbingthe armrests 28) and pressing inward and lifting upwards at the sametime. The frame members of the chair 10 will collectively pivot, slide,fold and/or telescope to move the various frame members towards avertical center axis to collapse the frame in multiple directions,including left-to-right and front-to-hack. Prior to collapsing the frame12, the X-lock assembly 102, if used, must be disengaged. The end resultwill be a compact bundle wherein the various axially elongatedstructural members will be disposed in relatively closely spaced apartside-by-side relation to each other and have a common general directionof axial extent, as shown in FIGS. 9-10. It will be noted that theX-lock assembly 102 connected to the rear X-frame connectors 44 isdisposed in a collapsed condition when the chair 10 is collapsed, andthe seat panel 14 and the backrest panel 16 have a flaccid condition andform part of the collapsed bundle.

As discussed herein, the structure of the chair 10 in accordance withthe present invention provides a simple approach for folding the chair10 to a collapsed condition where the chair 10 can be folded from aconventional set-up condition, as shown in FIG. 1, to a completelycollapsed and bundled condition, as shown in FIGS. 9-10, with a singlefolding action. That is, where the user of the chair 10 desires to foldthe chair 10 into a compact, bundled condition for easy transportationand/or storage, the user can simply press inwardly on the chair frame12, for example, on the armrests 28 of the chair 10. This inwardlydirected force causes the frame members and frame connectors to movesubstantially in unison and in multiple directions relative to eachother while undergoing multiple changes of angular position relative toeach other. For example, the inwardly directed folding force causes theframe side assemblies 18L and 18R to move toward each other. As alateral pressure is exerted on the chair frame 12, the X-frame connectorassemblies 36 and 38 elongate, with each connector 44 or 80 of therespective X-frame moving relative to the other toward parallelrelationship. With the elongation of the front X-frame connectors 80about a central pivot point, the front leg members 20 are caused totelescope—i.e., the movement of the connectors 80 influences thetelescoping lower front leg section 20 b within the upper front legsection 20 a to telescope outwardly—to thereby effectively lengthen thefront leg members 20 of each frame side assembly 18L and 18R.

The lengthening of the front leg members 20 causes the front and rearleg members 20 and 22 to pivot and move toward each other and toward aparallel relationship. Since the extra support member 96 is fixed to thefront foot 30 on the frame side assemblies 18L and 18R, telescopingmovement of the front foot 30, along with the lower front leg section 20b to which it is secured, exerts a downward directing force on thesupport member 96. The support member 96, however, is fixed at its otherend to the seat support portion 26 of the rear leg member 22. Thus, thedownwardly directed force exerted on the support member 96 causes it topull the front leg member 20 and the rear leg member 22 towards eachother—i.e., in a front-back folding manner. The movement of the supportmember 26 thereby influences movement of the rear leg member 22 aboutthe pivot therebetween and into a folded condition. The overlying resultof this linkage design is that the front and rear leg members 20 and 22move and are folded together as the frame side assemblies 18R and 18Lmove laterally together, ending in a completely bundled chair assembly,as shown in FIGS. 9-10. As so collapsed, the frame members and frameconnectors end up with generally common directions of extent. As shown,for example, the frame members and frame connectors all lie in generallyparallel condition.

Another available embodiment of a chair design in accordance with thepresent invention can utilize a support member connected between thefront leg member 20 and the seat frame portion 26 of the rear leg member22. In such an embodiment, the front leg 20 is angularly disposed in anopen, set-up condition between the front foot 30 and the back of theseating area. The support member is pivotally mounted between theforward end of the seat frame member 26 and to the lower end of thefront leg member 20 and is generally vertically disposed when the chairis in an open, set-up condition. More particularly, the support membermay be pivotally mounted to a collar or sleeve slidingly mounted on thefront leg member 20. As the chair is folded to its completely collapsedcondition, the sleeve slides up the front leg member 20 as the supportmember pivots, so that the chair frame 12 can be collapsed tightly. Insuch a design, the front leg member 20 need not telescope during foldingof the chair. Instead, the movement of the sleeve allows the framemembers to collapse to a bundled condition without the lengths of any ofthe frame members inhibiting the collapsing action. The seat panel 14and the backrest panel 16 will be in a flaccid condition and form a partof the bundle.

Referring to FIG. 20, when the chair 10 is in its set-up condition, theflexible seat panel 14 and backrest panel 16 will be held tautly on theframe. A receptacle 110 (e.g., a pocket) containing the carrier bag 116can be folded over an upper edge 112 of the backrest panel 16, therebyproviding a pillow 114 that is stuffed with the carrier bag 116 (as wellas any other soft personal effects of an occupant, e.g., jacket, socks,etc.) The occupant, seated on the chair 10, can thereby enjoy head andneck support not previously available as an integral aspect ofcollapsible chairs. In other embodiments, the receptacle 110 may be asleeve or a strap stitched onto the seating surface of the backrestpanel 16. In other embodiments, the receptacle may have only one end orside permanently attached to the backrest panel. Rather than stitchingor other permanent attachment as gluing, the receptacle 110 may insteadbe removably attached, e.g., by hook and loop fasteners or reusableadhesives or the like.

Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described withreference to attached drawings, those skilled in the art will apprehendvarious changes in form and detail consistent with the scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible chair comprising: a frame that isfoldable from a collapsed condition to a deployed condition; a flaccidseat and back, which can be integral or separate pieces, and which inthe deployed condition of the frame define a seating surface forsupporting a seated occupant; a carrier bag for receiving the chair inits collapsed condition; and a receptacle attached at the back of thechair for receiving the carrier bag while the chair is in its deployedcondition, wherein the receptacle containing the carrier bag provides aheadrest for an occupant of the chair.
 2. A collapsible chair as claimedin claim 1, wherein the receptacle is attached proximate an upper edgeof the back of the chair.
 3. A collapsible chair as claimed in claim 2,wherein the receptacle is a pocket.
 4. A collapsible chair as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the receptacle is a pocket that is foldable over theupper edge of the back of the chair to capture the carrier bag.
 5. Acollapsible chair as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receptacle isremovably attached at the back of the chair.